Tour Code: Mew-HIST-005
Duration 12 Night & 13 Day
Transport: Surface
Day 1: Addis Ababa
Guests will arrive in Addis Ababa, where they will be welcomed and transferred to their hotel by a Mewael tour and travel representative. Depending on arrival time a City tour of Addis Ababa will be arranged. On this day the city tour of Addis Ababa will cover the National museum, Mount Entoto for the scenic view of Addis Ababa and the Trinity cathedral church. Proceed with the tour & guests will visit the Ethnographic museum. On the way to Hotel, we will visit the squares, Historical buildings & monuments of the city. Overnight Addis Ababa
Day 2: Addis Ababa – Bahirdar
Fly the north of Addis to the beautiful Lake city of Bahirdar crossing sululta plain and the Blue Nile gorge which is the Grand Canyon of Africa which lies adjacent to the world’s longest river the Blue Nile and Laka Tana the largest lake in Ethiopia.
In the morning, there will drive some 37KM to the small village of Tis Isat to visit the spectacular Tis Abay (the water that smokes) or Blue Nile Falls where guests will be welcomed by the sound of the waterfall. This is the fall where the famous Blue Nile falls pounded down into the rocks of the Nile gorges about 45 M. (It is worth a visit especially in the months June- September).
After lunch, guests will be escorted to Lake Tana for a memorizing boat ride to the medieval island monasteries such as Ura Kidane Mehiret & Azuwa Mariam Monasteries, where they can capture the aged essence of the beautiful mural paintings, religious books & sacred treasures. Overnight Bahirdar
Day 3: Bahirdar – Gondar
After an early breakfast, a late drive to the legendary town of Gondar known for its magnificent Royal castles. Afternoon private time after hotel check-in. Overnight Gondar
Day 4: Gondar
After breakfast visits the castles of Gondar and the mesmerizing Debre Birihan Selassie church, known for its traditional angle face church paintings on its ceilings. and visit the traditional church school at the Qusqam monastery can be arranged, where guests will experience the traditional church schooling system which is peculiar to Ethiopia. Overnight Gondar
.Day 5: Gondar – Siemen Mountains National Park- Gondar
After breakfast drive to the Siemen mountains national park through the town of Debark where guests will need to fulfill Siemen Mountains National Park entrance formalities before proceeding. The park itself is known for its spectacular views and collections of endemic animals like the Chaldea Baboon, the Walia ibex, the braded vultures, and other species of birds. It is filled with small trekking routes 4-5 hours or less depends on-time the guests will drive back to Gondar. Overnight Gondar
Day 6: Gondar- Axum
After an early breakfast, guests will have a scenic drive to the ancient town of Axum north of Gondar through the chain of the Simien Mountains and across the Tekeze River. Overnight Axum
Day 7: Axum
Axum is a city with more than 3000 years of history and was once the center of a great empire and ancient world civilization. It is also exclusively known for being home of the original Ark of the Covenant made by the hands of Moses. The sightseeing of this ancient city will include the St. Mary’s Church, the sanctuary Chapel which is the repository for ‘Ark of the covenant’, the coronation yard, the Stelae Park, Tombs of Kaleb and his son Gebremeskel’s, king Ezana’s inscriptions and the ruins of Queen of Sheba’s palace. Overnight Axum
Day 8: Axum – Tigary Rock-Hewn Churches
After an early breakfast, drive from Axum to visit Tigray’s Rock hewn churches. En route, sight the battlefield of Adwa, the Landmark of Africa’s victory over modern colonial power, and the Yeha temple built between 500- 400 B.C which is one of the oldest Jewish synagogues in Ethiopia. Overnight Hawizzen
Day 9: Tigary Rock-Hewn Churches/ Churches in the sky
After early breakfast drive to the Gheralta cluster churches. Guests will visit the Churches of Abune Yemata and Mariam Korkor. Gheralta is home to a quarter of the rock churches in the northern cluster of churches, some of which are famous for their stone workmanship, ancient paintings, manuscripts, and others are known for their magnificent view and challenging ascent. Overnight Hawizzens
Day 10: Hawzen –Mekele
After breakfast drive to Mekele, en-route visit the Abrha we Atsbha, wukro Cherkos churches, and Al Negash one of the oldest Islamic settlements outside of the Arabian Peninsula. Arrive in Mekele in the late afternoon and relax after checking into the hotel. Overnight Mekelle
Day 11: Drive Mekele to Lalibela
After breakfast leaves Mekelle and drives through the Chain Mountains of Ambalage to Lalibela. On the way, you will enjoy the landscape. Proceed to Lalibela. Overnight Lalibela
Day 12: Lalibela
The small town of Lalibela is home to one of the world’s most astounding sacred sites: the eleven rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, each carved entirely out of a single block of granite with its roof at ground level. After checking in to the hotel, guests will go on a guided tour to visit the famous rock-hewn churches including the legendary St. George church, the trenches symbolic of the river of Jordan, and the “tomb of Adam”. Overnight Lalibela
Day 13: Fly to Addis Ababa
Fly back to Addis Ababa, Shopping and Evening farewell dinner at one of the traditional restaurants with a live folkloric show, and drive to the airport for your departure.
- The tour itinerary can be amended, rearranged differently, and include or exclude activities based on your interest.